I think a lot of good arguments have been raised so I'm not really getting into the debate but just wanted to say that I think the reason why Sakura is my favourite is because she's NOT a goddess. Sasuke and Naruto are the ones descended from a goddess. Hinata is the one that has a Byakugan like the goddess. Meanwhile, there's Sakura on the side with the characters who've had little to no handouts and that's cool with me~
I presume it was meant as hyperbole or at least as general characterization of how the fandom behaves rather than a literal reading of her. I'm not even sure who my favorite character is anymore. Kakashi or maybe the Second because they have been characters willing to make the adult decisions even if they dislike them. Although Kakashi soon fell back in line. So many people in this story have avoided doing that. To Kishimoto's credit it bit the Third hard and this was acknowledged. I think the Third's refusal to kill Orochimaru was seen as a negative that back fired on him. To Kishimoto's detriment this it totally ignored with Naruto.
Oh, and I guess I'll also mention that the critique of Sakura and her Sasuke obsession is really a universal problem. Sasuke is the character that is loved without any reason, even when he goes out of his way to hurt the people he cares about, or just flat out distance himself. Why do Ino, Karin, Naruto, and Sakura care about him? The three ladies have all cried over him. Naruto had been worse when it came to Sasuke--before the fake 'confession' Sakura wasn't giving much indication that she loved him romantically. The recent "I love you!" and the whole plot surrounding Naruto and Sasuke's cosmic brotherhood really just pushes the uncomfortable Sasuke situation. This wasn't always the case part 2--Sasuke was almost exclusively Naruto's obsession and Sakura's desperation to "Save Sasuke for you!" was a lot more understandable when Naruto was losing himself over it.
I like Sakura more than Naruto and Sasuke at the moment, but 693, for me was similar to the Obito is cool moment with Naruto. It's not quiet as bad in that I don't think it demonstrated a morale failing as large as Naruto did at the moment. At the same time, I'm with you. I haven't any idea why she or anyone else likes him. Kishimoto has never done enough to justify why anyone likes him.
I think you can come up with reasons with Naruto because of what he has been through, his ideas, and empathizing with him. I can also understand Naruto being tight fisted with his relationships, regardless of whether it is rational or not. However, Naruto's desires seems far more rooted in his personal friendship and opinion rather than those abstract ideas. Given the message, I think it's that Kishimoto never did enough to show that Sasuke was at any point worthy of any of these feelings while compounding it with so many people behaving so irrationally. You can't point to the past and say when know that person is still there because (1) that person was often an a**hole too and (2) he shown way too much in terms of what he's willing to do to get what he wants. Those are a part of him as well and no one but Sasuke acknowledges this.
In Sakura's case, I just don't get it. After all the development she made from 181 to now, why does she revert to 181. As tricksie said, he slammed a reset button. It's not about moving to Naruto so much as it about her steadfast refusal to move away from Sasuke and then still use that failure of tactic to convince him to return. She calls it pathetic, so why use it? I don't find Naruto persuasive, but he is standing up to Sasuke. Why isn't she? Why is her plea so...I don't know...so meek? How is this so distinctly different than Hinata's deferential nature as it pertains to Naruto. Sakura has shown in others instances to not always be like that, but we never see Hinata in situations where we can even evaluate how Hinata would response if it were not Naruto.
Hinata in contrast is rather consistent, where I can't attribute her actions to necessity of plot so much as her character traits. The freedom of not being plot relevant is that she should have more leeway in what she can do in the few panels that she's in--she could just be seen off screen taking Kiba's hand, she could have her moments where she's displaying teamwork, or going along with the crowd, but Hinata is the side character fixated on Naruto...probably because that's what her character is meant to do--be a device for a love triangle, and this is where I feel Kishimoto really lets his characters down. A big portion of their badly written side is because they're involved in romance. Flaws are one thing, and they can help strengthen a character. Sakura making bad decisions and being unlikeable at times serves her own story and growth. When these flaws are taken to an extent that is unrealistic, then they are true subtractions of the character.
Hinata is more difficult to reconcile because she doesn't have much away from Naruto, and therefore her good points end up as exaggeration. I think why I and perhaps many do spend time talking about her...criticizing her, is because there are a disproportionate amount of fans who love her and make up a lot of major, good claims about her when really the text isn't there? Does this happen with Sakura? Yeah, but she has more evidence in the text to support her favourable sides and alternative readings. Hinata is more limited.
I think his failure with Hinata is that he never allowed her to leave Naruto's orbit. I agree with your criticism that you made a while ago and that there really is not evidence that she's this super-nice person. It's mostly an assumption that is made as an extension of her being shy. The two are frequently linked in entertainment so I understand the extension, but we really have no idea how she behaves around besides Naruto.
I think Kishimoto's refusal to let her leave Naruto's obit has done such a disservice to her character. As Hinata fans erroneous assume traits that have not been demonstrated, her detractors are quick to use her status as a satellite character to assume traits I don't think the author means to convey. I've said before, I cannot see him covertly stomping on her.
For me, she is a bore who does nothing interesting. It's not just that it's Naruto, it's that its Naruto as the ideal. She has no involvement with his struggles and problems in any meaningful way let alone one that demonstrates things either for her, Naruto, or the audience. She just...exists for the romantic subplot without ever doing anything to really move it all. She's just plain and boring. As much as I loathe 693, Sakura is interesting and, on occasion, does thing that help move the story. While horribly under utilized in this role, she at least has involvement in the core problems and has, at times, help characters and herself develop as people.
Still, I somewhat understand with lords complaint simply because I recall the users who would go after people, pontificating on who was a proper Sakura fan. It's arrogant and obnoxious. I also cannot forget people jumping down my throat when I didn't properly genuflect (deliberate hyperbole) before her character. I see what Hinata fans do, watch people here complain, and then watch them do the same damn thing. It doesn't help watching the excuse that it's Kishi's fault not Sakura's excuse trotted out for only her when that's true of almost everyone. Kishimoto is so dedicated to his basic themes and plot that almost everyone has suffered major injuries to their credibility because of the plot, but I don't see the distinction being offered for them. So my sympathy is spent.
I don't share lord's opinion of Sakura or Hinata, but the broader complain...I don't think he's completely off base.
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. But Naruto isn't like that with only Sasuke. Naruto has done this with obito as well as Nagato,Zabuza and Haku. Naruto doesn't want strangers to get swayed from a correct path and walk on a path of evil, then how can he let sasuke who he considers as his brother be left alone.
